Center for Independent Living - Berkeley

With profound love and anger, the Center for Independent Living (CIL) condemns the murder of Sonya Massey, a Black disabled woman, by Illinois State Police on July 6th, 2024. Sonya, who had a mental health disability, was killed after calling the police to report a suspected prowler. Her death reflects the deadly intersections of ableism and anti-Black racism in policing.

CIL urges communities to avoid involving carceral systems in mental health crises. Instead, we must build and support non-police responses like the Anti-Police Terror Project's Mental Health First (MH First) program in Alameda County and other non-carceral initiatives.

For examples of local non-carceral initiatives, and for our full statement, please visit our website: https://thecil.org/in-love-and-rage-uplifting-sonya-massey/

[Image Description] Teal graphic with white text reading "Say her name: Sonya Massey"

It is with profound sadness that we share the news of the passing of Ms. Janet Brown, a cherished member of our CIL family. Janet dedicated over 20 years to serving our community, beginning her journey with us in 2004. She touched the lives of many through her roles as a generalist, housing counselor, and, as a program manager.

Janet’s memory is a treasure, and her life will continue to inspire us as we move forward, honoring her legacy in the work we do.

We invite you to share any memories, stories, or other reflections in the comments.

For the full statement, please visit our website: https://thecil.org/in-memory-of-ms-janet-brown/

Thank you.

Thank you so much for joining us in celebrating Disability Pride this week! We had such a great time – from the tabling, to the caricature drawings, to the intergenerational panel, to the Crip Camp screening. Same time next year? 👀 🎉

[Image Description] 1) The "Atrium" of Ed Roberts Campus, filled with lots of sunlight and people socializing. A large red ramp wraps around the area. 2) Two women in colorful masks have a conversation with a man in a power wheelchair. 3) Two people having themselves drawn by a caricature artist. 4) Six panelists sit on stage, looking at one of two moderators in power wheelchairs in front of the stage. 5) DREDF and C4AT tabling. 6) People in black folding chairs with the film "Crip Camp" on a large projector screen.

Do you have questions about wildfire safety efforts and projects in your community as a PG&E customer with Access and Functional Needs?

Join virtually on Wednesday, August 7 at 5:30 p.m. to hear from PG&E’s Access and Functional Needs Program Manager, Lizz Stout, and other members of their team to learn more about what PG&E is doing to reduce wildfire risk and make their system safer. To further enhance PG&E’s wildfire safety initiatives, they will be encouraging customers to ask questions and provide feedback during the session.

For more information, visit pge.com/webinars.

[Image Description] Wildfire Safety Webinar. Access and Functional Needs Customers. Wednesday, August 7 at 5:30 p.m. Learn more about PG&E’s wildfire prevention work. To join, visit: pge.com/webinars. PG&E logo. A PG&E employee assisting a customer at their front door.

We are Hiring! 📢

Position: Transitions Facilitator
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: Berkeley, CA
Salary: $31 – $32.22 per hour

We seek a visionary collaborator with a justice-oriented approach to work with individuals with disabilities on transition plans from institutional settings, including jails, prisons, nursing homes, and homelessness. Responsibilities encompass holistic transition planning and establishing collaborative relationships with community-based organizations, public defenders' offices, juvenile justice systems, homeless shelters, and others to support people with disabilities in community living.

For more information about this role or to submit an application, please visit: https://thecil.org/job-listings

The link to our Careers page is also in our bio.

[Image Description] Graphic with a white background, a teal megaphone, and colorful geometric shapes in yellow, purple, teal, and black. Text is the same as info the caption.

Please join us for our free Wheelchair Marking and Tether Strap Program, August 9th from 9am to 12 noon.

This workshop is a collaboration with AC Transit for people who would like to get their mobility aid marked and strapped for safer transportation, happening monthly on the 2nd Friday of every month at the CIL office.

Call 510-891-7113 or email [email protected] to make an appointment within the workshop time.

[Image Description] Graphic in mostly teal, yellow, white and black reading "Wheelchair Marking and Tether Strap Program | Join Us | 09 Aug 2024 | 09 AM - 12 PM | Ed Roberts Campus | Phone: 510-891-7113 | Email: [email protected]"

Happy ADA Day!! 🎉 Today, July 26th, marks 34 years since the Americans with Disabilities Act was passed in 1990. This historic civil rights law protects the rights of people with disabilities, and thanks to this historic day, we celebrate Disability Pride Month in July.

CIL is hosting an event next Wednesday, July 31st to celebrate. Hope to see you there! For more info or to RSVP, check out our Eventbrite page: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/celebrating-disability-pride-month-legacy-togetherness-and-resilience-tickets-935965777837

[Image Description] Dark gray graphic with red, yellow, white, blue, and green diagonal stripes in the top right corner. Bold, white text reads "Happy 34th Anniversary ADA!". A graphic character of a person with a prosthetic leg carrying a disability pride flag on the bottom left side.

Thank you for having us last weekend 💗🎉 It was so great to see so many folks out in the community! What a great way to celebrate during

[Image Descriptions] Image 1: CIL Staff member at our booth showing someone something on their phone.
Image 2: Five people at the CIL booth smiling at the camera.
Image 3: Four CIL staff sitting behind the booth, looking to the right, as if talking to someone out of frame.
Image 4: Dr. Pineda, CIL's Executive Director, smiling at the camera, along with two people on either side of him.
Image 5: A wide shot of a row of booths shaded by umbrellas and big trees.

Please join the CIL at the East Oakland Senior Center's Health and Information Fair on Thursday July 18th from 10am till 1:30pm! Anita Lofton, a Healthcare specialist, will be joining as the Keynote Speaker. RSVPs to (510) 615-5731 requested by Monday, July 15th.

[Image Description] There is the title of the event "Health and Information Fair" followed by text reading "an effort to support and promote public health awareness in the senior community." The East Oakland senior centers' address is listed as 9255 Edes Ave, Oakland, CA 94603. There are various logos from local community based orgs on the right side of the poster as well.

Join us for Social Club in July! We will meet online on Wednesday July 17 from 3:30-4:30 to draw together. We will meet in-person at Ed Roberts Campus on Wednesday July 24 from 3:30-4:30 to do arts and crafts. All youth ages 14-30 with disabilities are welcome.

RSVP for the event at: tinyurl.com/CILSocialClubRSVP

If you have any questions, contact Kerry McKee at 510-422-5103 [email protected]

Hope to see you there!

[Image Description] Graphic with a photo of paint and other art supplies, with mostly purple decorative patterns. Text has details about the events also mentioned in the caption

We are so excited to announce our special event, "Celebrating Disability Pride Month: Legacy, Togetherness, and Resilience," on July 31st, 2024. This free event will take place at the Ed Roberts Campus and will be an inspiring and engaging celebration of the incredible contributions and enduring spirit of the disability community.

We are not only honoring Disability Pride and the legacy of the CIL and the disability rights movement, but also celebrating the new leadership of CIL with Dr. Victor Pineda.

The main event will feature:
A reception from 4:00 - 4:45 PM in the Rotunda, food & drink provided. There will be tabling and activities by other ERC organizations.
A panel discussion on “Disability Rights and Justice: Intergenerational Solidarity.”
A screening of the Oscar-nominated film "Crip Camp," introduced by its co-director, James LeBrecht.

For more information and to RSVP, please visit our Eventbrite page: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/celebrating-disability-pride-month-legacy-togetherness-and-resilience-tickets-935965777837

CIL’s Emergency Preparedness and Resiliency Program wants all of our communities to remain safe and resourced as California enters an extreme heatwave this week.

Extreme heat events can cause power outages, impact cooling systems, and lead to negative health outcomes, illness, and even death.

Please take a minute to check out some resources related to staying safe during extreme heat events, resources to check air quality near you, and more: https://mailchi.mp/be9365733eb0/heat-advisory-july-2nd-july-6th

[Image Description] Photo of five friends laughing and having a picnic in a park with a yellow triangle warning symbol and the words "Heat Advisory: July 2nd - July 6th" above.

Join us for Social Club in June! We will meet online on Wednesday, June 12 from 3:30-4:30pm to dance online with guest instructor Carah Herring. We will meet in-person at Ed Roberts Campus on Wednesday June 26 from 3:30-4:30pm to dance in-person with guest instructor Maya Scott-Chung.

All youth ages 14-30 with disabilities are welcome.

Hope to see you there!

[Image Description] Graphic with a photo of game pieces, dice, and other board games related things, with mostly yellow decorative patterns. Text reads "Youth! Join us for Social Club | *Online* Dance with guest instructor Carah Herring | Wednesday, June 12, 3:30-4:30pm | online via Zoom | *In-Person* Dance with guest instructor Maya Scott-Chung | Wednesday, June 26, 3:30 - 4:30pm at Ed Roberts Campus | 3075 Adeline Street in Berkeley (above Ashby BART) | RSVP for the event at: tinyurl.com/CILSocialClubRSVP | If you have any questions, contact Kerry McKee at 510-422-5103 [email protected]".

Please join us for our free Wheelchair Marking and Tether Strap Program, June 14th from 9am to 12 noon.

This workshop is a collaboration with AC Transit for people who would like to get their mobility aid marked and strapped for safer transportation, happening monthly on the 2nd Friday of every month at the CIL office.

Call 510-891-7113 or email [email protected] to make an appointment within the workshop time.

[Image Description] Graphic in mostly teal, yellow, white and black reading "Wheelchair Marking and Tether Strap Program | Join Us | 14 June 2024 | 09 AM - 12 PM | Ed Roberts Campus | Phone: 510-891 - 7113 | Email: [email protected]"

📢 Emergency Budget Rally This Thursday! 📢

June 6th, 11 am
455 Golden Gate, San Francisco

California faces a major budget deficit, and the Governor is proposing severe cuts to essential services. These cuts will affect people with disabilities, older adults, immigrants, and working-class communities. The proposed cuts include:

* Eliminating IHSS (In-Home Supportive Services) for undocumented Californians
* Ending IHSS’s back-up provider program
* Deep cuts to food programs, housing, and homelessness programs

Speak Up for Our Communities! Join us and other organizations supporting disability rights, aging, immigrant, worker, and labor groups. We must make it clear that we will not accept these budget cuts.

Join us to play games next week! We will meet in-person at Ed Roberts Campus on Wednesday, May 22nd from 3:30PM–4:30PM to do games and coding. All youth ages 14-30 with disabilities are welcome.

Sign up at tinyurl.com/CILSocialClubRSVP

Hope to see you there!

[Image Description] Graphic with a photo of game pieces, dice, and other board games related things, with purple and teal decorative patterns. Text reads "Youth! Join us for Social Club | *In-Person* Games and Coding | Wednesday, May 22nd, 3:30PM - 4:30PM at Ed Roberts Campus | 3075 Adeline Street in Berkeley (above Ashby BART) | RSVP for the event at: tinyurl.com/CILSocialClubRSVP | If you have any questions, contact Kerry McKee at 510-422-5103 [email protected]".

With great excitement and shared anticipation, we announce the appointment of Dr. Victor Santiago Pineda as the new Executive Director of CIL! Dr. Pineda brings with him a wealth of experience as a global advocate for disability rights, a scholar, and an innovative visionary.

Dr. Pineda, we are so happy to have you on board!

For the full press release or to watch an introductory video, please visit our website: https://thecil.org/press-release/center-for-independent-living-welcomes-dr-victor-santiago-pineda-as-new-executive-director-amid-crucial-times-for-disability-rights/

[ID] Graphic that reads "Welcome Dr. Victor Santiago Pineda! Our New Executive Director". Below is his headshot. He is wearing a navy suit jacket and smiling at the camera.

🦻 Hear Well, Age Better

CIL and SeniorFusion are hosting an event for a pilot study to provide complimentary FDA-approved OTC hearing aids or personal sound amplification products.

For whom? Low-income seniors or disabled adults, who have low-to-moderate hearing loss, in Alameda County.

What's the catch? Completion of 2 brief surveys and using the hearing device for >2 hours/day.

Event Details:

Thurs May 9, 2024
2 PM
Ed Roberts Campus
Osher Rooms
3075 Adeline St.
Berkeley, CA 94703

Registration: none needed

> Want the details sent to you?
> Or want reminders sent to you?
> Or need interpreters?
Email [email protected] or call 510-841-4776 before May 2nd.
–
Unable to make it to the May 9th event, but want to join the pilot study remotely?

The study coordinators can drop off devices to potential participants in the East Bay. Email [email protected] to learn more!

[ID in comments]

Apply Now! ✍️

CIL’s Accelerate Internship Program provides 6-month paid internships for young adults with disabilities (ages 18-30) in Alameda County at companies and non-profit organizations across a diversity of exciting fields.

Our Accelerate Internship Program includes paid training and professional development prior to the internship, support and mentorship during the internship, and assistance with job searches, interview skills, and the transition into long-term employment after the internship ends.

The goal of our Accelerate Internship Program is for young people with disabilities to develop a wide variety of professional skills and explore a new career field, to bring their knowledge, experience, and brilliance to a local workplace, and to ultimately find competitive, long-term employment in an area that interests them.

To Apply: bit.ly/AccelerateInternshipApp (case-sensitive)

Questions? Contact CIL’s Vocational and Campus Coordinator, Camiel Hayes: [email protected] or 510-422-5029

[ID] Graphic with a strip of illustrations on the left side in bright colors of people working at computers together. The right side of the graphic has text that reads " Apply Now! CIL's Internship Program: Accelerate | For young people with disabilities, with a special emphasis on communication disabilities (ages 18-30), in Alameda County | Accelerate Paid Internship runs May - October 2024 (approximately 32 hours/month) | Includes comprehensive vocational support, mentorship, and peer-based learning opportunities | Focus on empowering young people with disabilities, and bringing disability, accessibility, and diversity into workplaces in Alameda County | To Apply: bit.ly/AccelerateInternshipApp (case-sensitive) | Questions? Contact CIL’s Vocational and Campus Coordinator, Camiel Hayes: [email protected] or 510-422-5029"

Join us Tuesday ❗️🪧📣

We’re excited to be hosting this action next week — please join us!

Co-sponsored by Disability Visibility, Raging Grannies Action League, California Pan-Ethnic Health Network (CPEHN), the Center for Independent Living - Berkeley, Pan End It!, Common Humanity Collective, MaskTogetherAmerica, and Marked By Covid

https://www.facebook.com/events/2488277698026058

Have you checked out our blog lately? CIL's Youth Program was featured in an Oaklandside article about Santa Fe school in North Oakland and other partner programs geared towards young adults with disabilities.

Our Youth Outreach Coordinator Kerry was quoted, saying “Many of the students in the young adult program use communication devices such as a phone or iPad to communicate...We help them understand the importance of technology and the ways they can be more conscientious about their technology use.”

Visit thecil.org/blog to read the whole article!

[ID] Graphic with teal and purple rounded rectangles on a white background, a screenshot of the main blog image and title of the blog post on CIL's website, and a cutout photo of Kerry, CIL's Youth Outreach Coordinator. There's text that reads "New Blog Post!" and “'Many of the students in the young adult program use communication devices such as a phone or iPad to communicate...We help them understand the importance of technology and the ways they can be more conscientious about their technology use.' –Kerry McKee, Youth Outreach Coordinator"

📣 [Job Alert] Work Incentives Benefits Counselor 📣

Our team is growing, and we need your help spreading the word about this exciting opportunity!

The primary responsibility of the Work Incentives Benefits Counselor position is to assist consumers on public benefits and those who have mental health disabilities who wish to become employed and/or more financially independent. The Work Incentives Benefits Counselor must be able to assist consumers with understanding the impact of earned income on their benefits, and they must be skilled at connecting them with services and supports needed to obtain and maintain paid employment.

This position is a full time role based in Berkeley, CA. The salary range is $28 – $32 per hour.

For more information about this role, please visit: https://thecil.org/job-listing/work-incentives-benefits-counselor/

[ID] Graphic with a white background, a teal megaphone, and colorful geometric shapes in yellow, purple, teal, and black. Text reads: "WE ARE HIRING! | Work Incentives Benefits Counselor | We'd love to hear from you if you have a working knowledge of Social Security, familiarity with work incentives programs, and strong counseling skills. This role primarily works with individuals with mental health to understand earned income and guide them toward employment. | Full Time | Berkeley, CA"

Seeking Care Providers for our New BETA Registry! Please share far and wide so we can help more folks with disabilities get connected with care providers in their area. Visit the link to register: bit.ly/cil_careregistry. Email [email protected] with questions.

[Image Description] Multicolor graphic that reads "bit.ly/cil_careregistry | The CIL is Seeking Care Providers for New BETA Registry | Help People with Disabilities in the Berkeley/Oakland area find you! | To Learn More: [email protected]"

Repost from Anti Police-Terror Project:

Black neurodivergent children who are having an episode deserve to live. Black children deserve to live. PERIOD.

We shouldn’t have to say anymore names. No one should have to bury their child. Ryan Gainer should still be here.

Join CIL and APTP, along with Disability Justice Culture Club and Disability Justice League - Bay Area at the Lake Merritt Amphitheater on Sunday, March 24 at 4pm for a disability justice demonstration and vigil.

Abolition is a disability justice issue. The solutions we need require centering the needs, ideas and testimonies of neurodivergent and/or disabled people. Abolition cannot wait. Justice for Ryan Gainer!

[Image Description] Event flyer with APTP colors and Ryan Gainer’s portrait with title that reads “Justice for Ryan Gainer: Disability Demonstration and Vigil” Event details read “Sunday, March 24 at 4pm, Lake Merritt Amphitheater”

Partner Highlight: Easy Does It

CIL is excited to share about our community partner, Easy Does It, who offers clients Emergency Attendant Care, Attendant Matching, Wheelchair Repair/Rescue, and Accessible Transportation.

Easy Does It’s Repair Team is again heading out into the community to offer free tune-ups on Power Chairs and other Assistive Devices. This time, they'll be at the Downtown Berkeley Public Library; stop by to learn about their Agency’s work, pick up free merch and receive free support with your power chair. It's on March 26th, from 11am to 1pm, at the Berkeley Public Library, located at 2090 Kittredge St.

For more information, visit their website at: easydoesitservices.org/events

[Image Description] Infographic reading: Mar 26, Berkeley Library Repair Workshop, 11 am - 1 pm, 2090 Kittredge St, Berkeley.